amberjack fishing

larval red snapper

Science Discovers How Tiny Reef Fish Find Their Way Home

The reef-dwelling species we love to catch — such as red and mutton snapper, various species of grouper, amberjack and on and on — are not generally born on the reef. Far from it — literally. Most of these species spawn in open water, leaving their fertilized eggs to float near the surface.

larval red snapper

Science Discovers How Tiny Reef Fish Find Their Way Home

The reef-dwelling species we love to catch — such as red and mutton snapper, various species of grouper, amberjack and on and on — are not generally born on the reef. Far from it — literally. Most of these species spawn in open water, leaving their fertilized eggs to float near the surface.